Location: Guayaquil
Top Things to do in Guayaquil
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Guayaquil, Guayas Province
Founded in the 1530s, Ecuador's largest city and main port is the top access point for Galapagos cruises and home to a bustling import-export business. Tourism is on the rise as well, thanks to a new international airport and urban renewal projects along the River Guayas promenade and in the historic neighborhood of Las Peñas. The 465-step climb to the top of Santa Ana Hill provides sweeping views and a chance to stand on the site of the city's birthplace.
Restaurants in Guayaquil
1. Hacienda La Danesa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
Hacienda La Danesa (accommodation available) is a traditional dairy and cacao farm with over 145 years of rich heritage and history, located about an hour drive from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family-owned and managed by the third generation Olsen family, the farm offers a unique selection of tailor-made activities for guests, including horseback riding trails, hands-on artisan chocolate making and other hacienda-related programs. La Danesa offers an intimate and authentic experience for those who would like to spend the night.
Reviewed By 537elizabethc
Showed us amazing hospitality - made us feel like special guest. We took advantage of all the activities - cacao growing, chocolate making, tubing, horseback riding, bicycling. Our guides were attentive and very informative. Lunch was delicious, and service was first class. Property is beautiful, and production facilities are very interesting. Only downside is that it is a very long ride from Guayaquil.
2. Cerro Santa Ana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,008 reviews
Like the ugly duckling to swan tale, this once poor area was transformed into a prime tourist attraction – a 465-foot stairway flanked by colorful houses, eateries, gift shops and galleries.
Reviewed By ChristinaS2195 - Brooklyn, United States
Lovely stroll ... or hike ... depending on how you feel about the stairs. Everything there was alive with color and sound. You can easily find a $0.30 bottle of water and a $0.40 ice cream to cool you off!
3. Parque Historico Guayaquil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,664 reviews
It includes 8 hectares divided in three zones: Wild Life, Traditions and Urban - architectural, where the nature, rural and urban aspects are brought together in one concept: encouraging the environment preservation, rescue and promotion of our customs.
Reviewed By erikastanton2012 - San Diego, United States
Parque Histórico was a great place to visit, beautiful combination of history and nature, the staff and food was wonderful, weekends provide shows and demonstrations of culture, we saw cacao, coffee and banana trees, beautiful flowers and animals (rescue animals ) It is a small but it is worth it !
4. Malecon 2000
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,627 reviews
Stretching for several miles along the Rio Guayas, this lively boardwalk is well-patrolled day and night and features small food stands, other eateries and a blend of historic and modern buildings.
Reviewed By iwastheretraveling - Southeast Romania, Romania
Malecon Rio Guayas is the promenade area on the banks of the Guayas River. It is 10 minutes away from Iguana Park and is considered an important part of the city’s identity. Here you can find almost everything you expect from a tourist area: a mall, an amusement park, museums, souvenir shops, even green areas where you can feed birds.
5. Las Penas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,949 reviews
Reviewed By TurfDocNC - Raleigh, United States
While the climb up the 444 steps is a challenge, even for the most agile, it is worth every bit of time to see this quaint neighborhood, the church at the top, and climb up the lighthouse for fantastic views out over the city and river.
6. El Faro de Guayaquil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Reviewed By vacation_addict_Ohio - Columbus, United States
Great views once you finally walk up the 444 steps of Las Penas! The view out to the city is excellent. If you do the extra setps to go up to the top of the lighthouse, you also get a nice view to the chapel.
7. Garza Roja Parque Cultural
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
8. La Perla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Reviewed By imacbeth - Leeds, United Kingdom
A super attraction and at a fair price. We went on during the day but it looks great at night too as it's all lit up.
9. Parque Seminario
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,268 reviews
Reviewed By 135robinp - Sydney, Australia
This must visit park, located in what was the Arms Square of the New Town in the late 17th century, is home to a large number of land iguanas (some quite large) who roam its lawns and pathways – you must watch where you put your feet. The iguanas are not concerned with people (I actually touched one of them!), they mostly seem to just want a sunny spot in which to bask. Their stand out feature was the length of their tails plus length/shape of their fingers/toes. Rarely do they venture outside of the park but if they do, traffic stops and they return to the park. At night they climb the trees to sleep – out of reach of any predators. This Park is also home to a 14’ high monument (erected 1889) of Simon Bolivar on horseback. Bolivar was a big hero in these parts, helping secure the independence of six South American countries, including Ecuador in 1822, from the Spanish. The Park is across a street from the Metropolitan Cathedral.
10. Isla Santay
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By TropicalMeg - Ottawa, Canada
I had only two days in Guayaquil, and after spending the first on the Malecon/Cerro Santa Ana I am SO glad that I spent the second on Isla Santay. Beautiful, peaceful and absolutely fascinating birds, trees, butterflies, flowers and crocodiles! It was a breath of fresh air, good exercise and a tasty meal at the end for $1USD. I would also recommend it for families, but bring a stroller if you have little ones. I would budget 3-4 hours if you want to see everything at a leisurely pace. The only downside is finding a ride at the end... you're in a not-touristy neighbourhood where wandering around for a taxi may not be the best idea. You'd be better to arrange a set time for a driver to come back and meet you.
